Chapter 35- Pleasure

The question was inherently a trick question, and one that didn’t have an answer. Not a clear one at least. Elio knew that almost immediately, and with Melissa’s curious look, he knew that she was testing him. He knew that any answer he would give could truly change a lot of things.

However, for some reason, Elio didn’t have a hard time finding the answer. His heart almost immediately spoke, and he was taken aback by that.

"I..." He sighed. "I will take the side that I see right. Whether that’s you or Fiona, I will choose the side that my heart tells me is right. You told me that yesterday, didn’t you? To follow my heart. Then, I’m doing exactly that." He replied.

His words made Melissa’s eyes widen subtly before a warm, soft smile appeared on her face.

"That is a pretty good answer. You’re learning, Elio." She said. "If you said you were going to take my side, I would’ve still been mad. I want you to choose the side that you won’t regret taking. The side that your moral compass tells you to follow."

"What if my moral compass isn’t right?"

"Mmmm, indeed, it could happen. This world will test you a lot and will challenge your understanding of what’s right and wrong. In many cases in the future, you won’t know which is which, and the lines will blur. That is when your heart plays the biggest role. That is when you are going to have to follow your compass. You must preserve that compass, Elio. You must not let me or anyone else corrupt you."

"..."

’Her words... are exactly like Fiona’s...’ He mused inwardly. She had given him the same exact advice that Fiona had told him earlier. That only further engraved it into his mind. To move with his heart as his guide.

"In any case, I am sure you are still confused and tired. So, I won’t take more of your time." Melissa said. "We can talk better tomorrow."

She stood up and looked at Elio with a beautiful smile. "I never thought this night would be this special. But I’m glad I could finally tell you about my identity. This has been bothering me for a very long time."

"Really?" He asked. "You seemed to have been enjoying my blood a lot."

"Ehem, yeah..." Melissa gulped as she looked away. "Don’t remind me of what I tasted earlier, or I won’t be able to control myself. I don’t want to suck your blood like this."

"..." Elio instinctively put his hand on his neck. He could remember the sensation of being sucked, and it wasn’t the painful sensation one would think it was.

"Well... I..." He muttered.

"Hm?"

"I don’t mind if you suck my blood every now and then... As long as you don’t kill me, haha..." He said.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Melissa sprang her head back and stared at Elio, her eyes wide with shock as if she had heard something absurd.

"W-What?"

"... Are you being serious, Elio?" She asked. "Please don’t joke like that."

"No. I’m being serious. I mean, you have been doing it for the longest time, and I wasn’t harmed, so I don’t mind." He said awkwardly.

"E-Elio..." She parted her lips before she sighed. "You’re too good to me. You’re an angel in this world."

She fell on her knees as she stared at him with eyes sparkling.

"H-Huh?! What are you doing?"

"You’re just an angel." She put her hand on her mouth. "Too dazzling and too good for this world."

’... Is that all because I said it’s fine if she drinks my blood? What the hell?!’ Elio didn’t know what to do. "Please stand up, it’s not really that big of a deal."

"Not that big of a deal?! Your blood is enough to make the strongest of vampires get on their knees for a mere drop. I don’t think you understand how valuable it is." She said with an offended look as if he was talking about her own blood, not his.

"That much...?" The boy seemed apprehensive. ’This is somehow what Fiona also said, albeit not in the same context.’

If Fiona’s words didn’t convince, then Melissa surely did. His blood was perhaps far more valuable than he thought. If it made Vampire Hunters and Vampires desire it this much, it was indeed very special.

"Don’t you ever think that it isn’t priceless, Elio. You are truly special. I have kept your identity a secret so that no other evil hand would touch you." Melissa said. "Now that you are aware of everything and that you want to become a Vampire Hunter... Keeping you a secret will be way harder."

"Mmm, I am aware. I will be facing many more threats, and well, I guess my blood will be exposed." He said.

"I have no doubt that with your talent, you would be able to reach heights no one of your race has ever reached. But, till that point, you must not let anyone know of it, ok?"

"... I will try my best."

"Good. And... Ehem, before I leave..." Melissa looked at Elio as her eyes flashed with a weird glint. "Can I take a bit more of... your blood?"

"Yeah... Ummm, do you need to suck from my neck?" He asked as he tilted his head to the side. That mere gesture sent a chill down Melissa’s spine. Her mouth started watering, and her eyes locked onto his neck. She felt every fiber of her being move, telling her to take the opportunity.

"Then... If you don’t mind me..." She muttered as she slowly stood up and approached Elio. Parting her lips slowly, her fangs protruded. Putting her face near his neck, she breathed subtly, brushing against his skin. The boy felt a weird sensation well up in his body, but he remained motionless, his eyes closed.

Slowly, Melissa’s fangs sank into his skin, and almost immediately, a rush of immense pleasure swept Melissa away. A sensation so strong she couldn’t even begin to understand. It was as if every cell in her body was pumped with a rush of endless euphoria. It was merely a single droplet before, but when a stream made contact with her body, it was as if a large wave of pleasure submerged her very being.

A feeling so strong, she had no time to comprehend it before she instinctively started sucking more.